Seth Rogen Tees Off On Senators Who Walked Out On His Testimony

Actor and Alzheimer's advocate Seth Rogen prepares to testify before a Senate hearing on the rising cost of Alzheimer's disease in America.

Mandel NganAFP/Getty Images

Originally published on February 27, 2014 4:42 pm

Celebrities regularly testify on Capitol Hill about issues important to them. But when comic actor Seth Rogen addressed a U.S. Senate subcommittee about Alzheimer's disease Wednesday, the experience was anything but typical.

Disappointed by the hearing's low turnout, Rogen took to Twitter — where his account has 1.84 million followers — to voice his frustration.

"Not sure why only two senators were at the hearing. Very symbolic of how the Government views Alzheimer's. Seems to be a low priority," Rogen tweeted after the hearing.

Rogen gave an opening statement to the Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, which has 18 members. But only two of them — Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa — were present for his plea for increased federal funding for Alzheimer's research.

Sen. Mark Kirk nevertheless tweeted at Rogen, thanking him for his efforts to end Alzheimer's, but Rogen was quick to respond that the senator wasn't actually there for the testimony.

"Symbolically, it hurts the cause to see that many empty seats. Wish you hung around. Nice meeting you," Rogen tweeted, after Kirk explained that he was at another meeting.

The actor later appeared on Hardball with Chris Matthews where he repeated his criticism of senators who left the hearing before his testimony.